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The reigning MVP of Major League Soccer initially downplayed being left off the three-player short list for this year’s award, which was announced earlier this month. Winning the MLS Cup, he said at the time, was “way more important” than the individual award

But Giovinco admitted Tuesday that being left out of contention fueled his play in Toronto’s last match, a 5-0 away win over New York City FC in which the Italian scored a hat trick,

“When I believe I deserve something . . . obviously it doesn’t make me happy, not being elected at least in the three first spots,” Giovinco told reporters through a translator.

It’s not the only slight the Atomic Ant has faced recently.

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The striker was also left out of Italy’s national team squad for its two World Cup qualifiers during FIFA’s current international break. Coach Giampiero Ventura linked Giovinco’s non call-up to the striker “playing in a league that doesn’t matter much.” Ventura said playing in a less competitive league could affect Giovinco’s mental approach.

On Tuesday, the Italian said he is fully consumed by Toronto FC and the potential of playing in a “special” final and winning a trophy.

“We are in the most important stage of the playoffs and that’s all I have my mind focussed on.”

That focus is clear to Reds coach Greg Vanney, who is watching his striker’s role with the team grow as Toronto’s games get bigger.

“Sometimes during a long season, as he’s working through some things for himself, he’ll tend to not say as much,” Vanney said. “Now you can really see his greater involvement and position in the team.”

The “humble” star doesn’t always understand his words mean a lot to the team, said Vanney. “In previous roles, he wasn’t the leader of those teams. But because he’s such a talented player, he carries such a heavy weight in our group.”

Giovinco has five games under his belt since being sidelined for nearly two months with injuries sustained during a game against the Montreal Impact on Aug. 27 and Vanney believes he is finding his “sweet spot” as the team prepares for a high-stakes Eastern Conference final against its rival.

“He’s getting sharper with each game; he’s getting his legs under him more and more each game,” Vanney said.

Giovinco’s finish will be crucial to Toronto next Tuesday, when the Reds visit Montreal for the final’s first leg. Giovinco still feels the sting of being eliminated there last year. It’s not an experience he wants to go through again.

“Everybody keeps that in mind right now, and we’re going to go there with that precise mentality, to change that memory.”

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